St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-11-25
Play" only, was the motto. Thus Sh
place afforded complete

/ had tracked my prey thus far, and
hastily scanning the various ferocious
cOuntenanceS, made up my mind that
my men were in the room. knew it
would be long, hard work to success
fully capture them, and resolved to
stake claim and work in solid with
that lawless gang. In few minutes 1
was sitting in game" with the two
men l had spotted. One was called
'ROsy, the Messenger" for the reason
that he had an Illuminated beak and
claimed to have been an express mes
Senger at one time. The other glOried
| allowed them to win little and then
stepped out to take a look at the place
by night. l was followed by two men
and soon showed them knew it. They
came to me without hesitation. One of
them said:
''Pard, my handles Bob West, mostly
called Cowboy Bob,' and my pardner's
is 'Syksey,' called Evans in the states.
We just want to warn We agin them two
fellers as you was playin' keerds with.
They amt straight"
| told them my name, an OutlandiSh
Western title, and thanked them for
their information. L knew in minute
they were honest, square miners, and
from that moment we were fast friends.
They helped me stake out claim and
build hut on the side of the gulch. My
assumed title left me shortly, as they
dubbed me by one of their own manu-
facture, namely, "Ratsy HOlbroOk,' for
the reason that | kept pretty much to
myself, and lived like rat in hole.
Things moved on smoothly, when one
evening my two friends and l went to
the bar room 10 join in the fun. While
sitting there, noticed the sheriff. tall,
Stalwart fellow, who was elected to the
position merely to give little eclat to
the burg, leave the place and start for
his hut. Shortly afterWard, Grizzly
jim disappeared. l conceived the idea
that no one saw him go but myself, and
from the fellows sneaking appearance,
knew he was bent on mischief. Bidding
goodnight to the crowd. | started after
him, but could see nothing of him.
Some distance ahead | saw in the moon
light the form of Sheriff Harry. | fol-
lowed him for some distance. Suddenly
flame shot out from the roadside, fol-
lowed by a loud report. The sheriff
threw up his hands. and dropped like a
stone. Rushing quickly to the spot, /
found him quite dead. A hasty
SEARCH IN THE BUSHES
revealed nothing and called for help.
A passing miner ran to the hotel and
gave the alarm. In few minutes
bowling mob surrounded the form of
the sheriff, fast growing cold. ''WhO
done it?" Whar'S the dog as shot the
sheriff? " etc, rent the air.
"Gentiemen," j said, Il was on my
road to my hut and the sheriff was just
ahead of me. ISuddeDly heard shot,
hin, faI ani 4bon froua tho olorp,
That's all | know about it"
''Oh, yes, that's a likely yarn, that is"
sneered Syksey.
''Shut up. you hound, or I'll bore
hole through YOU said my friend Cow
boy. and search was made in the
bushes. Nothing resulted.
Boys" said Grizzly Jim, stepping to
the front, and it seems he had just ar
rived, don't you remember yesterday
when the sheriff and RatSy here had a
fight?''
Yes, yes" they all cried.
''Well, and amt RatSy found with the
body of the sheriff, an no one else
aroun'?"
Silence prevailed for an instant and
then a hOarSe cry of rage went up. L
was surrounded in minute, but being
aroused to pitch of frenzy by the vii
lain's insinuatiOns, L fought like mad
man. and my fists worked like wind
mill in gale. When l had cracked
few neadS gave myself up and was
led to the Jail, or excuse for one. and
placed therein, closely guarded all
night. Where were my two friends: |
had missed them in the crowd. The
by one of the men, who said | was EN-
titled to fair play and trial. l knew |
was in dangerous position, and how to
get out of it was hard question to
solve. Sitting there on the damp, cold
ground [ suddenly heard a scratching
sound and whisper.
''RatSy," in a cautious tone.
Here" L replied.
keep a stiff upper lip. We're work
in for ye," and / knew it was my friend
the cowboy.
Next day | was led into the impro-
viSed court room. i had been told by
Cowboy Bob to stand i'll a certain spot
in the room and not move from it. |
knew there was some significance in the
request and Obeyed it. The grim miners
stood around silently, and a survey of
the faces told me there was no sympathy
for me there. The charge was read and
the case heard. The jury retired to
corner to deliberate, and [ was begin
ming to feel rather shaky i'll my awk-
ward position Cowboy Bob had told
me that Immediately when the Judge"
pronounced sentence for me to say in a
loud voice:
''Gentlemen, God knows | am limo
cent, and appeal to Him to manifest it
in some way 10 your satisfaction"
Of course the jury returned with
A VERDICT OF ''GIIITY."
The Judge sentenced me to he hung,
and the mob aroJe to execute the order
with vengeance.
Hold | cried, and they stopped as
though they had been struck. Gen
tlemen." said |, ''GOd knows am innO-
cent" and l repeated the balance of
the cowboys sentence. Instantly was
surrounded with sunlight. bright and
piercing. and with howl Of fright they
all fled. judge, jury, spectators, and |
was left alone. L could scarcely COM
prehend it, and glanced at the roof
where the sunshine appeared. No So
luton appeared there, but a touch at
the elbow caused me to turn and l
looked into Bob'S face, suffuSed with a
huge grin.
1--WE worked it kinder slick, didn't
we?" he said.
''How the ID did you do it?'' 1
asked.
well. ye see. | knOwed the sun
shined on Their roof in that spot of ther
court house and late last night we cut
hole in it and tied strap TO the piece.
| told you to stand in that spot so Their
sun would strike ye. See? And your
words was the signal to lift the trap
door. lifted it when you spoke the
words and We see how it came out.
Thar amt man in camp now as would
tech We for love or money" We went
outside and joined the crowd. They
regarded me with awe and many came
to shake hands. At this point a little
whisky-sOalled miner stepped up and
said:
''Boys. | heard Grizzly Jim and Rosy
ther messenger talkin' as how they wuz
goin' to hang Ratsy and they LATED over
oil lfI 1aI -,